several times of the day are observed, the rural employments in each season or time of day, and the rural scenes or places proper to such employments; not without some regard to the several ages of man, and the different passions proper to each age. But, after all, if they have any merit, it is to be attributed to some good old authors, whose works, as I had leisure to study, so, I hope, I have not wanted care to imitate. SPRING: PASTORAL I. OR, DAMON. TO SIR WILLIAM TRUMBALL. FIRST in these fields I try the sylvan strains, You, that too wise for pride, too good for pow'r, Enjoy the glory to be great no more, And carrying with you all the world can boast, O let my muse her slender reed inspire, Soon as the flocks shook of the nightly dews, Two swains, whom love kept wakeful, and the muse, Pour'd o'er the whitening vale their fleecy care, Fresh as the morn, and as the season fair: 20 The dawn now blushing on the mountain's side, Why sit we mute, when early linnets sing, 25 31 Streph. Sing then, and Damon shall attend the strain, While yon slow oxen turn the furrow'd plain. Here the bright crocus and blue vi'let glow; Here western winds on breathing roses blow. I'll stake yon lamb, that near the fountain plays, And from the brink his dancing shade surveys. Dapb. And I this bowl, where wanton ivy twines, And swelling clusters bend the curling vines; Four figures rising from the work appear, The various seasons of the rolling year; 36 40 And what is that which binds the radiant sky, Streph. Inspire me, Phoebus! in my Delia's praise, With Waller's strains, or Granville's moving lays: 46 A milk-white bull shall at your altars stand, That threats a fight, and spurns the rising sand. And make my tongue victorious as her eyes: 50 No lambs or sheep for victims I'll impart, Streph. Me gentle Delia beckons from the plain, Daph. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green; How much at variance are her feet and eyes! * 55 60 Daph. Celestial Venus haunts Idalia's groves; 65 Diana Cynthus, Ceres Hybla loves; If Windsor shades delight the matchless maid, Straph. All Nature mourns, the skies relentin show'rs, Hush'd are the birds, and clos'd the drooping flow'rs; If Delia smile the flow'rs begin to spring, The skies to brighten, and the birds to sing. 71 Daph. All Nature laughs, the groves are fresh and fair, The sun's mild lustre warms the vital air; If Sylvia smiles, new glories gild the shore, 75 80 Daph. Sylvia's like autumn ripe, yet mild as May, More bright than noon, yet fresh as early day: Ev'n spring displeases, when she shines not here; But bless'd with her, 'tis spring throughout the year. Streph. Say, Daphnis, say, in what glad soil appears, A wond'rous tree, that sacred Monarchs bears? Tell me but this, and I'll disclaim the prize, And give the conquest to thy Sylvia's eyes. 86 Daph. Nay, tell me first, in what more happy fields The thistle springs, to which the Lily yields: And then a nobler prize I will resign; For Sylvia, charming Sylvia, shall be thine. Dam. Cease to contend: for, Daphnis, I decree The bowl to Strephon, and the lamb to thee. 90 Blest swains, whose nymphs in ev'ry grace excel; 95 ΙΟΙ |